American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 1 112-117, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Pricing and promotion effects on low-fat vending snack purchases: the CHIPS Study

SA French, RW Jeffery, M Story, KK Breitlow, JS Baxter, P Hannan and MP Snyder
Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 S Second St. Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, USA. french@epi.umn.edu

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of pricing and promotion strategies on purchases of low-fat snacks from vending machines. METHODS: Low-fat snacks were added to 55 vending machines in a convenience sample of 12 secondary schools and 12 worksites. Four pricing levels (equal price, 10% reduction, 25% reduction, 50% reduction) and 3 promotional conditions (none, low-fat label, low-fat label plus promotional sign) were crossed in a Latin square design. Sales of low-fat vending snacks were measured continuously for the 12-month intervention. RESULTS: Price reductions of 10%, 25%, and 50% on low-fat snacks were associated with significant increases in low-fat snack sales; percentages of low-fat snack sales increased by 9%, 39%, and 93%, respectively. Promotional signage was independently but weakly associated with increases in low-fat snack sales. Average profits per machine were not affected by the vending interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing relative prices on low-fat snacks was effective in promoting lower-fat snack purchases from vending machines in both adult and adolescent populations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. M. Vermeer, E. Alting, I. H. M. Steenhuis, and J. C. Seidell Value for money or making the healthy choice: the impact of proportional pricing on consumers' portion size choices Eur J Public Health, July 8, 2009; (2009) ckp092v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Stevens, L. Barnard-Brak, and Yen To Television Viewing and Symptoms of Inattention and Hyperactivity Across Time: The Importance of Research Questions Journal of Early Intervention, June 1, 2009; 31(3): 215 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Lawrence, M. Boyle, L. Craypo, and S. Samuels The Food and Beverage Vending Environment in Health Care Facilities Participating in the Healthy Eating, Active Communities Program Pediatrics, June 1, 2009; 123(Supplement_5): S287 - S292. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. M. Finkelstein, E. L. Hill, and R. C. Whitaker School Food Environments and Policies in US Public Schools Pediatrics, July 1, 2008; 122(1): e251 - e259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. B. Michels, B. R. Bloom, P. Riccardi, B. A. Rosner, and W. C. Willett A Study of the Importance of Education and Cost Incentives on Individual Food Choices at the Harvard School of Public Health Cafeteria J. Am. Coll. Nutr., February 1, 2008; 27(1): 6 - 11. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. R. Herman, G. G. Harrison, A. A. Afifi, and E. Jenks Effect of a Targeted Subsidy on Intake of Fruits and Vegetables Among Low-Income Women in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Am J Public Health, January 1, 2008; 98(1): 98 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Stead, L. McDermott, and G. Hastings Towards evidence-based marketing: the case of childhood obesity Marketing Theory, December 1, 2007; 7(4): 379 - 406. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. H Epstein, K. K Dearing, R. A Paluch, J. N Roemmich, and D. Cho Price and maternal obesity influence purchasing of low- and high-energy-dense foods Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2007; 86(4): 914 - 922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. French Public Health Strategies for Dietary Change: Schools and Workplaces J. Nutr., April 1, 2005; 135(4): 910 - 912. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Holdsworth, N. T. Raymond, and C. Haslam Does the Heartbeat Award scheme in England result in change in dietary behaviour in the workplace? Health Promot. Int., June 1, 2004; 19(2): 197 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Ashton Food advertising and childhood obesity J R Soc Med, February 1, 2004; 97(2): 51 - 52. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-P. St-Onge, K. L Keller, and S. B Heymsfield Changes in childhood food consumption patterns: a cause for concern in light of increasing body weights Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2003; 78(6): 1068 - 1073. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Y. Kubik, L. A. Lytle, P. J. Hannan, C. L. Perry, and M. Story The Association of the School Food Environment With Dietary Behaviors of Young Adolescents Am J Public Health, July 1, 2003; 93(7): 1168 - 1173. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L Mercer, L. W Green, A. C Rosenthal, C. G Husten, L. K. Khan, and W. H Dietz Possible lessons from the tobacco experience for obesity control Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2003; 77(4): 1073S - 1082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Cohen, K. Mason, A. Bedimo, R. Scribner, V. Basolo, and T. A. Farley Neighborhood Physical Conditions and Health Am J Public Health, March 1, 2003; 93(3): 467 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. French Pricing Effects on Food Choices J. Nutr., March 1, 2003; 133(3): 841S - 843. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. S. Birnbaum, L. A. Lytle, M. Story, C. L. Perry, and D. M. Murray Are Differences in Exposure to a Multicomponent School-Based Intervention Associated with Varying Dietary Outcomes in Adolescents? Health Educ Behav, August 1, 2002; 29(4): 427 - 443. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Byers Reflections on the Use of Food Policy for Waging War on Cancer J. Am. Coll. Nutr., April 1, 2002; 21(2): 77 - 78. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L Blackburn The public health implications of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Trial Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2001; 74(1): 1 - 2. [Full Text] [PDF]